The Mockingbird TV Series 'House of Cards' for Voters

As elections approach, it's not uncommon to come across media emphasizing the importance of voter participation. 'V for Vendetta,' for instance, criticizes citizen apathy and encourages active engagement. However, this TV series mocks citizens who participate in voting.** The protagonist cheekily addresses the viewers on screen, claiming, “I became president without a single ballot. Democracy is overrated.”

Frank Underwood, the protagonist of the first-ever Netflix original series, 'House of Cards,' possesses a mysterious ability. He can break the fourth wall and address the viewers directly. In the first episode, he introduces himself to the audience as a Democratic Congressman and House Majority Whip. And he's about to become Secretary of State. This is because he secured the position in exchange for helping Garrett Walker, who recently became president, in his election campaign. He even nonchalantly waves to the viewers at the presidential inauguration.**

However, Garrett Walker's words change upon entering the White House. Or rather, through his secretary, Walker informs Frank that someone else will be taking the Secretary of State position. Frank sits dejectedly by the fountain in the park in front of the White House until sunset, seething with anger. And he embarks on a full-fledged revenge plan.

First, Frank gains Walker's trust. As the majority whip, he successfully passed the education reform bill promised by President Walker. Next, he filled the White House with people he wanted. Subsequently, Frank develops a personal relationship with a young, ambitious journalist, Zoe Barnes, and uses her to publish articles that serve his purposes. Through various schemes and by trampling over numerous individuals, Frank eventually convinces Walker to appoint him as Vice President.

But Frank tells the viewers celebrating his victory that his revenge is far from over. He intends to exploit loopholes in the American political system. In the US, if a president resigns, the vice president assumes the presidency for the remainder of the term.** He strategically leaks Walker's weaknesses and manipulates events to lead to his impeachment in Congress. **Just before his impeachment, Walker ultimately relinquishes the presidency to Frank and leaves the White House.**

In the final scene of the final episode of Season 2, Frank, seated in the Oval Office, looks out at the viewers. Frank, now in the Oval Office, mocks the real-life voters, the viewers. He states that he became president without a single vote, relying solely on cunning tactics. And he claims that democracy is overrated.

This series, which vividly portrays the ambitions and scheming of politicians, received some criticism for being unrealistic when it was first released a decade ago. But a decade later, the prevailing view is that 'reality is even more severe.' Particularly with the rise of social media amplifying extreme viewpoints and the advent of the Donald Trump era, 'House of Cards' has become a drama that seems eerily prophetic of 2020s politics, mirroring the predictions made in the 2010s.

Specifically, the original work for this drama is a novel of the same name written by British politician Michael Dobbs. He was a prominent political figure in 1980s Britain, but was abandoned by Margaret Thatcher, whom he had loyally served for over a decade. He claimed that after being ‘struck by Thatcher's handbag,’ he took a vacation, during which he conceived the idea for this novel. It can be argued that the desires of a real politician and his thoughts on realpolitik are reflected in this work. (Dobbs has denied that his feelings of wanting revenge on Thatcher are reflected in the work.)

2024 will see a cluster of significant elections worldwide. The UK general election and the US presidential election will be held, and Taiwan has already held its presidential election in Asia. South Korea also has a general election after a four-year hiatus. Before heading to the polls, it might be a good idea to listen to Frank Underwood's sly mockery. It could be an opportunity to reflect on the true meaning of going to the polls in modern society.**